The Dr Bruce Fund provided £1,465 to the people of Musselburgh last year. 

A Scottish charity which faced criticism over its lack of activity has increased the number of grants it issued last year. 

The Dr Bruce Fund, overseen by East Lothian Council and with local councillors appointed as trustees, has operated to help the poor in Musselburgh for more than 200 years. 

Despite having an estimated £20,000 in the bank, the charity made only small awards to the same two individuals each year between 2016 and 2022 of between £25 and £40 each, leading to criticism from Audit Scotland. 

However, its account from last year show trustees issued grants amounting to £1,465. These came from seven individual awards of £40 and one of £1,185 to an unnamed individual to help with flood damage restoration. 

The trustees' report said: “The trustees have worked to improve the process for awarding grants to enable the trust to fulfil its intended objectives, which has increased the grant awards made.

“The trust intends to continue to make annual awards as funds allow.”

The fund was set up by Charles Key Bruce, who studied in Musselburgh before making his fortune in East India.

He bequeathed £2,000 to a permanent fund when he died, from which the interest was to be used to give poor relief to people in the town.